3 Money Lessons I'd Tell My 26-Year Old Self

I just turned 36. 

If I could travel back in time 10 years ago and tell myself 3 lessons to help me get rich faster (and no, something uber-specific like buy bitcoin isn't what I mean), then this would be my advice.

Lesson 1 - More Buying, Less Selling

I'm not a day trader when it comes to stocks. On occasion I'll make a buy and hold it for a few weeks and sell it, but I lean more towards long term investments in funds and companies I like.

BUT...even with companies I liked and believed in, I chickened out or took some profits and I have lost on some monumental gains because of it.

Companies I've owned but don't anymore include:

• Tesla
• Microsoft
• Apple
• Occidental Petroleum

My returns would be in the hundreds of percentages if I had held longer instead of taking what was still really decent gains.

The point is, you're young, take big swings and hold them for a long time.

Lesson 2 - Invest In New Skills Now

This is a list of skills that I'm proficient enough at to monetize at this stage of my life:

• Sales
• Copywriting
• Audio editing
• Video editing
• Marketing
• Social media management
• Data analysis
• Personal branding
• Public speaking
• Personal coaching

10 years ago, that list was just Sales and Data Analysis.

If I had started upskilling and reskilling sooner, my earning potential would be much higher than it is right now.

Lesson 3 - Build A Following And/Or Digital Product

10 years ago, I didn't know I wanted to be a business owner. 

I also didn't have the knowledge about what that takes.

But I could've been building a digital product around my existing expertise like a "Cold Calling Guide To Success" or "Checklist for Successful AEs To Renew Their Clients."

Those were things I was already excellent at! 

I could have been on whatever popular social media app making content around that and building a following instead of wasting my time doomscrolling.

That would have paid off tremendously in the future and who knows what kind of opportunities that could have provided during that time!

Happy Birthday Note To Me

Stephen, if you read this 5 or even 10 years from now, I hope you took a lot of the advice you just gave to your older self.

I also know that you recognize that honoring God, investing in your family, cherishing your wife, and having free time are more important than money.

Don't ever let that change. 

Here's to, God-willing, the next 10 years!